Swallowing reflex disorders in children are also known as dysphagia. These types of disorders manifest during eating and chewing. Often, dysphagia is the reason children refuse to eat.
Causes
The causes of dysphagia can be neuromuscular diseases, diseases of the central and peripheral nervous systems. Swallowing function disorders can be caused by mechanical obstruction resulting from an enlarged thyroid gland, carcinoma, or hyperostosis of the cervical vertebrae. One of the causes may also be an iatrogenic defect associated with surgical intervention in the pharynx, radiotherapy, or damage to cranial nerve endings.
Symptoms of Swallowing Reflex Disorders
Due to damage to the nerve centers responsible for the act of swallowing, a portion of food may enter the respiratory tract instead of the esophagus when attempting to swallow. This situation is possible in true dysphagia. Functional dysphagia results from functional disorders of the nervous system. In this type of dysphagia, difficulties in swallowing and pain may occur, which can be accompanied by coughing. There is a sensation that food is stuck in the throat or esophagus. Individuals suffering from this condition typically experience significant weight loss, as the amount of food intake is clearly insufficient.
Diagnosis of Swallowing Reflex Disorders in Israel
Swallowing reflex disorder is a symptom of one of the diseases, not an independent illness. Therefore, diagnosis in Israel is primarily aimed at identifying the pathology that caused dysphagia. Initially, a gastroenterological examination is conducted to determine gastrointestinal diseases. If the cause of the swallowing reflex disorders is not found, a neurological examination is performed to identify the damaged nerve structure. Instrumental methods used for diagnosis may include X-ray (examination of the throat and chest), video esophagography (recording all bends and irregularities of the pharynx and esophagus), manometry, and laryngoscopy.
Treatment of Swallowing Reflex Disorders in Israel
Treatment of dysphagia in Israel is based on both reducing the severity of its symptoms and applying therapeutic methods regarding the disease that caused such disorders. Dilation may be used to expand narrowed areas of the esophagus. Surgical intervention may be used to treat the underlying disease, for example, in the presence of a tumor or diverticulum.
Prevention
Prevention of dysphagia involves timely diagnosis and treatment of diseases that can cause this disorder.